Cisco Catalyst 3550 Series User Manual

6-4
Catalyst 3550 Multilayer Switch Software Configuration Guide
78-11194-09
Chapter 6 Clustering Switches
Understanding Switch Clusters
– When the command switch is running Cisco IOS Release 12.0(5)WC2 or earlier, the standby
command switches can be these switches: Catalyst 2900 XL, non-LRE Catalyst 2950, and
Catalyst 3500 XL switches.
• We strongly recommend that the command switch and standby command switches are of the same
switch platform.
– If you have a Catalyst 3550 command switch, the standby command switches should be
Catalyst 3550 switches.
– If you have a Catalyst 2955 command switch, the standby command switches should be
Catalyst 2955 switches.
– If you have a Catalyst 2950 LRE command switch, the standby command switches should be
Catalyst 2950 LRE switches.
– If you have a non-LRE Catalyst 2950 command switch, the standby command switches should
be non-LRE Catalyst 2950 switches.
– If you have a Catalyst 2900 XL or Catalyst 3500 XL command switch, the standby command
switches should be Catalyst 2900 XL and Catalyst 3500 XL switches.
Candidate Switch and Member Switch Characteristics
Candidate switches are cluster-capable switches that have not yet been added to a cluster. Member
switches are switches that have actually been added to a switch cluster. Although not required, a
candidate or member switch can have its own IP address and password (for related considerations, see
the “IP Addresses” section on page 6-16 and “Passwords” section on page 6-16).
To join a cluster, a candidate switch must meet these requirements:
• It is running cluster-capable software.
• It has CDP version 2 enabled.
• It is not a command or member switch of another cluster.
• It is connected to the command switch through at least one common VLAN.
• If a cluster standby group exists, it is connected to every standby command switch through at least
one common VLAN. The VLAN to each standby command switch can be different.
Note These candidate and member switches must be connected through their management VLAN
to the command switch and standby command switches: Catalyst 1900 switches,
Catalyst 2820 switches, Catalyst 2900 XL switches, non-LRE Catalyst 2950 switches
running a release earlier than Cisco IOS Release 12.1(9)EA1, and Catalyst 3500 XL
switches.
This requirement does not apply if you have a non-LRE Catalyst 2950 command switch
running Cisco IOS Release 12.1(9)EA1 or later, a Catalyst 2950 LRE command switch, a
Catalyst 2955 command switch, or a Catalyst 3550 command switch. Candidate and member
switches can connect through any VLAN in common with the command switch.

Cisco Catalyst 3550 Series Specifications

General

Brand	Cisco
Model	Catalyst 3550 Series
Category	Network Router
Language	English